How do I get my 90 year-old cousin to flush the toilet? He said he's afraid it will overflow if he flushes it.

Disregard Shad's replies.

He may now need 24/7 care.

If he's not remembering to flush often enough it probably has overflowed in the past and likely will again. I think that this is likely just the very noticeable tip of the iceberg and on closer examination there will be other signs that he needs more supervision. Here are a couple of articles you may find helpful

https://www.agingcare.com/articles/holiday-visits-with-elderly-parents-136906.htm

https://www.agingcare.com/articles/signs-a-senior-needs-help-at-home-143228.htm

Don’t have an answer but sending a hug your way. That is a frustrating situation to deal with. You are kind to visit with your cousin. My mother once said to me that when she reached a certain age she felt people forgot about her. It’s sad.

I can’t address dementia because I don’t have experience with it. I hope my mom will escape it in her remaining years.

I think about future generations and sincerely hope through research that there will be better ways to treat ALZ and dementia, also Parkinson’s. I hate seeing the commercial on television that says 50 percent of Parkinson’s patients have dementia. It’s concerning. I am grateful that mom’s Parkinson’s has progressed at a slower pace than many others.

Is he living alone? Folks with dementia cannot live alone past the earliest stages.

What is the plan going forward?

This is pretty stupid, but perhaps it would work. Tell him that if he puts the lid down, (and perhaps puts something heavy on top of it), it won't overflow.